Gurgaon, March 16, 2005: Becton Dickinson India Private Limited (BD - India), a part of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), the global medical technology company headquartered in New Jersey, USA made a donation of its new BD SoloShot™ LX auto-disable syringe for BCG (Bacille Calmette Guérin) vaccination against tuberculosis (TB) to the District Immunization Officer of Rewari, Government of Haryana.

BCG vaccination is usually given to newborn babies, but can also be given to older children and adults who are considered to be at risk of developing TB, where potential contact with the disease could occur or has occurred.

Mr. Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of BD, made this donation to district Rewari, Haryana, which hosts the manufacturing plant of BD-India. With the efforts of BD, now the entire immunization program in the village will be conducted with auto-disable syringes.

Auto-disable injection devices are specifically designed to prevent the reuse of needles and syringes. Reuse of these devices has been identified as a significant factor in the spread of infectious disease in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ludwig said, “"In 1989, we made a long-term commitment to serve the healthcare market in India.  We reinforced this commitment in 1996 with the opening of our manufacturing facility in Haryana and in setting up a Clinical Marketing Organization for promoting best medical practices in India.”

"BD has been a pioneer in promoting safe injection for over 15 years,” Mr. Ludwig added.  “The support to Rewari’s immunization program reaffirms our commitment and is a positive step in line with our corporate purpose of helping all people live healthy lives."

The basic objective of adopting Rewari two years back was to promote to adopt auto-disable syringes and safe injection practicesto eliminate the spread of injection related infections caused by device reuse.The program began with education and training to healthcare workers on injection safety. Over a period of two years, BD has donated safety boxes and over 300,000 auto-disable syringes to facilitate the immunization program in District Rewari.

BD-India is already very active on issues such as promotion of safe injection practices, infection control for healthcare workers and patient safety. Internationally, BD has various philanthropic partnerships and other economically sustainable relationships focused on global health issues including HIV/AIDS, maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), diabetes and measles.

Recently, BD and Hindustan Latex Ltd (HLL), a Government of India enterprise entered into an agreement that will form the basis of a collaboration to help prevent the reuse of syringes in India through the introduction of auto-disable syringes, education and training of healthcare workers, and the implementation of advocacy programs with the Government of India.

About BD

BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, BD reported revenues of $4.935 billion.

For further information, please contact:
Aman Abbas, Phone +91 98103 41899, email: aabbas@imprimispr.com